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How to Mount a Red Dot Scope on a Mini 14

Fitting your Mini-14 with a red dot scope is sure fire way to increase your confidence in the accuracy of the weapon, especially on Ruger's semiautomatic, .233-caliber Remington chambered Ranch Rifle variation. Red Dot scopes emit a beam of light that you will only see when you look through the scope. Though Ruger uses a proprietary scope mount system, these scopes can be effectively mounted on most rifles using a Weaver-style standard rail mounts. These mounts are designed to fit factory specifications--the scope bases on the Ranch Rifle are cast into the receiver so you will not need to drill holes or visit the gunsmith.

Things You'll Need

Mini-14 Ranch Rifle
Red Dot scope
Weaver style ramp mount
Small Phillips head screwdriver
Small flathead screwdriver
Light colored towel

Instructions

- 1
  Remove all ammunition from your Mini-14. Make sure that the safety is in the "On" position. Press the bolt lock plunger on top of the receivers to retract the slide handle and lock it in the open position. Release the magazine and make sure there is not a round left in the chamber.
- 2
  Lay out your light colored towel on a table. A light colored towel will help you to better see the small screws and pieces that you could easily lose track of when mounting the scope. Place the Mini-14 and the Red Dot scope on the towel horizontally with the scope over the gun.
- 3
  Confirm the scope will be mounted in the right direction. The scope's mounting screws and horizontal adjustment should be facing the stock end of the gun.
- 4
  Unfasten the mounting screws on the scope. Open up the mounting shell at the base of the scope so that it is pretty wide.
- 5
  Put the screws in the weaver mount's slots/holes and situate the opened mounting shell along the weaver rail mount. Fasten the mounting screws until tight.
- 6
  Take out the rear iron sight with the flathead screwdriver. Unscrew the factory-installed scope mounting screws on top of the Mini-14's receiver.
- 7
  Line up the scope base with the screw holes you just uncovered. Secure the Weaver base to your Mini-14 snugly. Use the screws that came with the Weaver base rather than those that you removed from the Mini-14.

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